The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-10-07
WOMAN'S DEPARTMENT.
A CHANGE OF DRESS.

A CHANGE OF DRESS.
ssme Women Of Paris who Have AdspasA
Male Attirs-A Change for the Better.
1t is reported from Paris that six
married ladies of title have discarded
the conventional dress of their sex and
adopted the attire of men. They are
following the lead Of French woman
who has Of late made herself conspicu-
Gus BY advocating such n change,
which. she contends. is . necessary
preliminary to the emancipation Of
women from restraints that fatally
handicap them in their competitor with
men under the opportunities afforded
by modern civilization. The New York
Sun. in a lengthy editorial on the sub
jcct, observes that the dress Of women
has already been assimilated in many
respects to that of men, and so far as
the change has gone it has unquestion-
ably been for the better. Instead of
the paper-soled shoes of generation
ago, women now wear the heavy soles
which are rs requisite to their health as
they are to the health of men.
They no longer trail the petticoats of
their gowns along the pavements or
tire themselves by holding them up as
they walk abroad. Underclothing
adapted to the changes of the tenn
perature is worn by both sexes. though
the time was when women suffered for
the lack of it in order that their fig
ures might seem the more ethereal.
OvercOats in cut not much unlike
those of men are now adopted BY
women, and the jersey jacket of the
sailor has been deservedly popular
among them for several years. They
also have affected tailor-made gar
ments fashioned after those of the
male sex, and saiior-hats and Derbvs
worn by them are. in all respects, ex-
cept it may be so far as trimming
goes. the same as those obtained by
men at their matters. Something ap-
preaching masculine waistcoat has
also become a frequent part of wom-
ems attire. and collars and cravats
little different from those of their BROTH
ers have been adopted, the material of
their garments. too, being often the
same as that used by the tailors for
men.
All this. observes the writer in the
Sun. has been sensible change, for it
has increased the comfort and adapt
ability of the garments worn by wom-
en-, and has not lessened their beauty;
while the full dress in which they ap-
pear of an evening was never more
artistic than it is now. As the pro-
cesses of manufacture have been per-
fected, and rs chemistry has provided
a greater variety of tones and colors.
the fabrics worn have become more
beautiful. and the opportunities for
striking and harmonious combinations
have vastly increased. Yet these six
French women would cast aside all that
art and science have done for the
identifying of the materials, and for
more aSthetically satisfactory
The fashioning of their garments. If
The conventional European dress of
men, which they would substitute for
that worn by women, were the best
that could be devised for a human be-
ing. there might be practical justifica-
ton for its adoption by both sexes.
even at the sacrifice of beauty. If it
were better adapted to all weathers
and all occupations than the flowing
'obes of women, it would be more har-
with the requirements of this |
active age.
But men themselves cry out against |
is Inconvenience and its unsuitability
20 their occupations. Trousers are by
40 means the ideal garment even for
wear, and it is the trousers
which more especially distinguish the
male from the female attire in our
Western civilization. Something re-
knickerbockers would be
much more suitable for men than trou-
ers, and if the six French women
eally want to benefit the human spe-
lies they had better let them organize
! movement against trousers rather
han undertake to put trousers on the
ex not now forced by convention to
year them. The Chinese costume for
nen is better, and if women are dis
atisfied with their present attire they
would be wiser to adopt that. with
which would satisfy their
owe of beauty. 1t is flowing and it
dmits of variety Of color and ma
erial impossible under the conventions
+ the European dress for men.
In conclusion. the writer adds that
If women continue to compete with
len in all except a few OF the in
ustries of the world. they must make
ONE change in their present costume
r else permanently suffer from mani
est disabilities; but that is no reason
Thy they should initiate masculine at
ire as it is in the West. Let them
ather use their inventive capacity to
evise dress more convenient and
lore beautiful. or rather which, to
ONE extent at least, satisfies the law
beauty, as the dress of men does not.
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